Bringing up a crop of nature lovers Story and Photos by Yvonne Lelong Bordelon The other day, my brother and I were reminiscing about the wonderful experiences we had as children when we spent time with Mom and Dad in the garden. In today’s hustle-bustle world, many children don’t have the opportunity to delight in …
Invasive insect pests in home gardens and landscapes Story and Photos by Dr. Blake Layton When the first Americans arrived in North America, they brought non-native insect pests with them. Head lice and body lice were among the first of hundreds of species of non-native insect pests to invade our country and make it their …
How it “functions” in the landscape Story and Photos by Susan Jasan There is a famous phrase in design: “Form follows function.” More correctly, “Form ever follows function,” which is often attributed to architect Louis Henry Sullivan (1856-1924). In fact, the concept has been debated for centuries, much as the eternal question, “Which came first …
Try this tasteful, rustic autumn look for your own garden gathering Story by Peggy Hill Photos by Trace Barnett Southern summers are brutally hot; all but the sweatiest of us spend them cocooned in our air-conditioned spaces, and when we finally emerge in fall, we are ready to party. For me, throwing a fall party …
What is dormancy and why is it so crucial? Story and Photos by Garry V. McDonald This is about the time of year I start getting inquiries from local media about why leaves turn colors in the fall. What they really want to know is the exact week of peak color to inform the leaf-peepers. …
Using nature’s harvest and a bit of imagination to liven up the landscape Story and Photos by Susan Jasan Fall is a delightful time of year with cooler temperatures, fall color, and a bountiful harvest from your summer garden. It’s a delightful time for youth and adults alike as Halloween brings alive a host of …
Using glass mulch in the landscape Story by Margo L. Emery, Ph.D. I first encountered the magical material known as glass mulch at the University of Tennessee Gardens, Crossville. My body froze as my eyes took in a large, neat bed of shiny, multicolored … something. Meanwhile, my brain was clamoring to know what it …
Story and Photos by Yvonne Lelong Bordelon Giant Turk’s cap is the larger tropical cousin of the popular hummingbird and butterfly plant, Turk’s cap (Malvaviscus arboreus). The bright red, 2-inch flowers of giant Turk’s cap droop downward and never fully open. This multi-stemmed, low-maintenance tropical evergreen shrub is deer resistant and drought tolerant. Use it …
Seasoning of the South Story and Photos by A.J. Heinsz-Bailey Celery (Apium graveolens) is a well-known element of Cajun and Creole cuisine. Along with bell pepper and onion, it is a member of the “Holy Trinity” seasoning mix. You don’t have to be French to appreciate the distinctive earthy aroma of homegrown celery. Jambalaya and …
Utilizing footbridges and creeks in the garden Story and Photos by A.J. Heinsz-Bailey Generally speaking, water has never been a problem for Louisiana gardeners. Sometimes, however, what to do with all the water can be a challenge for us. In northern parts of the state, we have hills, and down south, we have lowlands. Working …
